SUBJECT: Sole Source Justification - Apollo Illuminations - Apollo 50th Projection Mapping

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum (NASM) is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo missions with a year of programming, culminating with a week-long celebration of Apollo 11 on the National Mall in July 2019. As the centerpiece for the national celebration, the Museum and its partners will project symbols of this singular American achievement on prominent structures around the National Mall. The Smithsonian Institution hereby provides notices of its intention to issue a sole source stand-alone contract with 59 Productions Ltd for the content and technical production of the Apollo Illuminations show. The contractor will complete a Scope of Work to conceptualize, design, and implement a five-night show on July 16 - 20, 2019. The price of the contract is estimated to be $1.75 million.

59 Productions has worked with the Smithsonian before on similar high-profile projects, demonstrating their ability to manage complex relationships with agencies overseeing the space on the National Mall. This project requires a high level of technical production including a projection over 500 feet from the ground. 59 Productions has a proven record of working within similar constraints. The contract will be awarded as a sole source based on these technical limitations and their proven track record of managing high-profile projects on government property.

59 Productions has the means, production and technical skill and requisite knowledge to develop the Apollo Illuminations project on the compressed schedule required to meet the Apollo 11 anniversary. It is the Smithsonian's position that awarding this contract to any contractor other than 59 Productions would likely result in not being able to meet the technical requirements needed for this high-profile program. Additionally, since the vendor must be responsible managing the animated content creation and the technical capabilities, it is the Smithsonian's position that awarding this contract to another vendor would not meet the firm deadline of the Apollo 11 anniversary in July 2019, and would not allow the Museum to meet donor obligations.

For subcontracting opportunities
Contact 59 Productions Ltd
Attn: Rebecca Collis, Producer
[email protected]
Office: +44 20 3137 3807
59 Productions Ltd
Unit 8 Benwell Studios, 11-13 Benwell Road
London N7 7BL

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